BirdData 2.0 for Windows.

Install.txt

This is a program for keeping records of birds, particularly
parrot-types.  There are separate databases for babies, pairs,
and pets.

Requirements:

This program requires Microsoft Windows, preferably 3.1.
If you are using Win 3.0, read the file WIN30INF.TXT.

The BBS distribution package also does not contain one file critical
to running BirdData: the Visual Basic runtime library VBRUN100.DLL.
This file is readily available from any BBS that carries Windows files.
If you received BirdData on disk from the author, VBRUN100.DLL is
included.  On Compuserve, it is available as VBRUN.ZIP in the Visual Basic
Library of the MS BASIC forum (GO MSBASIC).


Suggested procedures:

1.  Print this file.

2.  Follow the install instructions below.

3.  Load the manual file (BDATA20.WRI will be created when you install
    the program) into Windows Write and print it.

4.  Experiment with the program using my sample data.

5.  Delete any data that is not useful to you (see the manual
    for instructions).

6.  Enter your own data.

7.  Register the program.




Installation instructions.

The program and data files are in two self-extracting files,
Program.exe and Icons.exe.  The file Install.bat will run the
progams and extract the files to a directory that you specify.

You cannot run Install.bat from the Windows desktop;
Install.bat must be run from a DOS prompt.  Either exit Windows
or else open a DOS window to run from.  I may get around to
writing a fancy Windows install program, but not yet.

Decide what you are going to call the directory for the program,
BIRDDATA is suggested.  Log onto the drive where the distribution
files are located - for example if the files are on a floppy in the
A: drive, type A:   Now type INSTALL drive:\directory.  If you are
installing to Birddata on your C: drive, type INSTALL C:\BIRDDATA
(it doesn't matter if you use capitals).  The installation procedure
will begin, and the directory will be created.

If you are reinstalling the program and you wish to delete an older
version already in that directory, type INSTALL C:\BIRDDATA /d.
This will delete the old files before writing the new ones.

When the installation is done, you must either make the BirdData
directory part of the path statement in your Autoexec.bat file (and
then re-boot to make it effective) or else you must copy several
files to another directory in your path before running the program.

The files to copy are all of those that end in .DLL or .VBX.  The
best place to put these files is in your Windows directory.  In any
case you should always check your Windows and Windows\System
directories to see if any of these files already exist.  If you find
any of the files, check the dates and delete whichever copy is older.

Other programs may be using these files - if you are running Windows
when you copy them, be sure to exit and restart Windows before running
BirdData.

If you remove BirdData from your computer, be careful about deleting
these .DLL and .VBX files.  Make a backup copy of them in case something
doesn't run so you can reinstall them.  As time goes on, more and more
Windows software is likely to use these files.

Running the program:

Add the program (BDATA20.EXE)to one of your Program Manager groups and
then double-click its icon.

The first time you run the program, you will be prompted to provide the
directory path to the data files.  A section will be added to your Win.ini
file with this information.  If you ever move the data to another directory,
you must edit the Win.ini file to reflect the changed location.

Print the manual and follow its instructions as you explore
the program.

Don Bradner
8/15/1992